Filled article

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing a padded body composed of a skin layer formed in a bag shape and filler made of a granular or fragmental material padded into the skin layer comprising the steps of: mixing the filler and a water reactive binder; padding a mixture of the filler and the binder into the skin layer to form a padded body; and passing steam through the padded body. The binder reacts to the steam so that the filler adheres each other and adheres to an inner surface of the skin layer.

This application is a 371 of PCT/JP00/00908 filed on Feb. 17, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a padded body molding technique and, inparticular, relates to a padded body composed of a skin layer formed ina bag shape and filler such as chips padded into the skin layer, amethod for manufacturing such a padded body and padding and/or moldingdevices used for the manufacture thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

A cushion may be used for a headrest and an armrest equipped in anautomobile. Such a cushion is composed of a skin layer formed in a bagshape and an inner body molded in a desired three-dimensional shape, andthe inner body is inserted in and covered with the skin layer. The innerbody is formed of filler such as urethane chips, and such an inner bodycan be obtained by passing steam through a mixture of urethane chips anda water reactive urethane binder to adhere those chips to each other.

However, a surface of such an inner body is not smooth, and a fractionof the inner body is easily separated from its surface even though thechips are firmly adhered to each other by the binder. Thus, it is noteasy to cover the inner body with the skin layer.

In addition, since the surface of the inner body is not smooth asdescribed above, it takes a along time for covering the inner body withthe skin layer, and this makes the productivity worse. Also, even thoughsuch an inner body is covered with the skin layer, the skin layer isshifted relative to the inner body so that a wrinkle is produced on thesurface of the skin layer and a seam of the skin layer is undesirablycurved, and thus, as another problem, this makes its quality worse.

Moreover, if the inner body has a depression part, it is required tocarry out a special treatment between the depression part formed on theinner body and the corresponding part of the skin layer to adheretherebetween. Such a special treatment is carried out using adhesive andthe like. However, since a surface to be treated is inside the skinlayer, such a treatment is difficult to carry out.

The surface-smoothness and the separation of a fraction of the innerbody both become considerably worse, as the filler such as chips usedfor the inner body is harder. Thus, in the prior art, soft foamedurethane chips are used as the filler.

In productive steps of a seat and accessories equipped in an automobile,a large amount of waste such as foamed urethane chips and a piece of theskin layer is produced. Even though it is considered to recycle suchwaste, it is difficult to use the waste as filler used for the innerbody due to the reasons described above.

Thus, the present invention is made to solve the above problems, and itsobject is to provide a padded body (typically used for a headrest and anarmrest equipped in an automobile) composed of a skin layer formed in abag shape and filler made of a granular or fragmental material such aschips padded into the skin layer and its manufacturing method, andaccording to the present invention, the padded body can be easily formedby padding the filler into the skin layer and its quality is stablymaintained even though any filler having any hardness is used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the padded bodydescribed above and its manufacturing method wherein the skin layer canbe adhered to the filler padded into it so as not to separate the skinlayer from a mass of the filler padded into it even though the paddedbody has a depression part.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a paddingand/or molding container for carrying out the method according to thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing apadded body composed of a skin layer formed in a bag shape and fillermade of a granular or fragmental material padded into the skin layerwherein the filler adheres to itself and adheres to the skin layers. Inthis method, a water reactive binder is mixed with the filler, and then,a mixture of the filler and the binder is padded into the skin layer toform a padded body. Then, steam is passed through the padded body sothat the binder reacts to the steam passing through the padded body, andthere by the filler adheres to itself and adheres to the inner surfaceof the skin layer.

Prior to passing steam through the padded body, the method includessetting the padded body in a molding container. The molding containerhas a predetermined cavity, and thereby the padded body can be moldedinto a predetermined shape.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method for forming a paddedbody composed of a skin layer formed in a bag shape and filler made of agranular or fragmental material to be supplied to the inside of the skinlayer. In this method, the skin layer has at least a porous part and anopening, and this skin layer is set in a padding container. The paddingcontainer has an inner space, a suction port connected between the innerspace and a pumping source and a supply port through which the filler issupplied to the inside of the skin layer. The supply port is provided inthe padding container such that the opening of the skin layer set in thepadding container can fit to the supply port, and thereby the skin layeris set in the padding container such that the opening of the skin layerfits to the supply port. Then, the pumping source is driven to produceairflow from the supply port to the inside of the skin layer through theopening and from the inside of the skin layer to the suction port Then,by use of this airflow, a predetermined amount of the filler is suppliedto the inside of the skin layer to form a padded body.

The filler may be premixed with a water reactive binder, and the paddedbody may be set in a molding container having a predetermined cavity.Thus, the binder reacts to steam passing through the molding container,and thereby the filler adheres to itself and adheres to the skin layer.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a method formanufacturing a padded body composed of a skin layer formed in a bagshape and filler made of a granular or fragmental material padded intothe skin layer wherein the filler adheres to itself and adheres to theskin layer. In this method, a water reactive binder is premixed with thefiller. The skin layer has at least a porous part and an opening forsupplying the filler to the inside of skin layer, and this skin layer isset in a padding and molding container. This padding and moldingcontainer has a cavity and a slide block that can move between anopening position and a closing position. When the slide block is movedinto the closing position, the cavity is formed in a predeterminedshape. The padding and molding container also has a supply port throughwhich the filler is supplied to the inside of the skin layer and asuction port connected to a pumping source. When the slide block ismoved into the opening position, the suction port connects between thecavity and the pumping source. The supply port is provided in themolding container such that the opening of the skin layer set in thepadding and molding container fits to the supply port, and thereby theskin layer is set in the padding and molding container such that theopening of the skin layer fits to the supply port of the padding andmolding container. Then, the pumping source is driven when the slideblock is at the opening position, so that airflow is produced from thesupply port to the inside of the skin layer through the opening of theskin layer and from the inside of the skin layer to the suction port.Then, a predetermined amount of the filler is supplied to the inside ofthe skin layer by use of this airflow to form a padded body. Then, theslide block is moved into the closing position, and then, steam ispassed through the inside of the padding and molding container.

The other aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturinga padded body composed of a skin layer formed in a bag shape and fillermade of a granular or fragmental material padded into the skin layerwherein the filler adheres to itself and adheres to an inner surface ofthe skin layer. In this method, a water reactive binder is premixed withthe filler. The skin layer has at least a porous part and an opening forsupplying the filler to the inside of skin layer, and this skin layer isset in a pre-molding container provided in a padding container. Thepadding container has an inner space, a suction port connected betweenthe inner space and a pumping source and a supply port connected to theoutside of the padding container. The pre-molding container has acavity, an entry through which the filler is supplied to the inside ofthe skin layer and at least one through hole connected between thecavity and the inner space of the padding container. The entry isprovided in the pre-molding container such that the opening of the skinlayer set in the pre-molding container fits to the entry, and therebythe skin layer is set in the pre-molding container such that the openingof the skin layer fits to the entry of the pre-molding container. Then,the pumping source is driven to produce airflow from the supply port tothe inside of the skin layer through the entry fitted to the opening ofthe skin layer by use of means for connecting between the supply portand the entry and from the inside of the skin layer to the suction portof the padding container through the through hole of the pre-moldingcontainer. Then, a predetermined amount of the filler is supplied to theinside of the skin layer by use of this airflow to form a padded body.Then, the padded body is set in a molding container having a cavityhaving a predetermined shape, and then, steam is passed through theinside of the molding container. It is desirable to use a funnel as themeans for connecting between the supply port and the entry of thepre-molding container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows that filler is supplied into the inside of a skin layer setin a padding container.

FIG. 2 shows that a padded body formed in a manner shown in FIG. 1 isset in a molding container.

FIG. 3 shows that steam is passed through a padded body set in a moldingcontainer.

FIG. 4 shows a headrest to be attached to a seat used for an automobile.FIG. 4 a is a plan view of a skin layer of the headrest, FIG. 4 b is abottom view of the skin layer and FIG. 4 c is a partial sectional viewof the skin layer.

FIG. 5 shows that a skin layer is set in a padding container when itslid part is opened.

FIG. 6 shows that a padding container is closed by a lid part and filleris supplied to the inside of a skin layer by pumping the paddingcontainer.

FIG. 7 shows that a padded body is set in a molding container and steamis passed through the inside of the molding container.

FIG. 8 shows that a slide block of a padding and molding container ismoved into its opening position and a skin layer with a stay is set inthe padding and molding container.

FIG. 9 shows that a slide block of a padding and molding container ismoved into its opening position and a skin layer with a stay is set inthe padding and molding container and this slide block is then movedinto its closing position.

FIG. 10 shows that a slide block of a padding and molding container isat its opening position, and the padding and molding container is pumpedand filler is supplied to the inside of a skin layer.

FIG. 11 shows that after filler is supplied to the inside of a skinlayer, a slide block of a padding and molding container is moved intoits closing position and steam is passed through the inside of thepadding and molding container.

FIG. 12 shows that filler is supplied to the inside of a skin layerusing a padding container according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As described in “Background of the art”, there are several problemsassociated with inserting an inner body formed of filler in the insideof a skin layer formed in a bag shape. Also, it takes a long time forinserting such an elastic inner body in the inside of the skin layerwhile compressing the inner body. In contrast, according to the presentinvention, such problems do not arise. We now describe a methodaccording to the present invention for manufacturing a padded bodyformed of filler made of a granular or fragmental material, withreference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows one arrangement wherein filler T is supplied to the insideof a skin layer set in a padding container 1. The padding container 1 isconstructed of two parts, one being a main part 2, and another being alid part 3 that can seal air-tightly its inside. The main part 2 has asuction port 4 connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). Also, the paddingcontainer 1 has a supply port 5 for supplying the filler T. The supplyport 5 is positioned opposite to the position of the suction port 4 andis positioned at a connection between the main part 2 and the lid part3.

A skin layer 10 formed in a bag shape has a porous part and an opening11, and the filler T is padded into the skin layer 10 through theopening 11. The opening 11 has a size fitted to the supply port 5 of thepadding container 1.

The skin layer 10 is positioned in the main part 2 such that the opening11 of the skin layer 10 fits to the supply port 5 of the paddingcontainer 1, and the padding container 1 is then closed by the lid part3. The inside of the padding container 1 is air-tightly sealed by thelid part 3. In order to easily supply the filler T, a funnel 12 ispositioned so as to pass through the supply port 5 and the opening 11.

In this arrangement, when the vacuum pump is driven, air inside thepadding container 1 is evacuated and the inside of the padding containeris decompressed, so that air flows from the outside of the paddingcontainer 1 into the inside of the skin layer 10 through the funnel 12connected between the supply port 5 and the opening 11. That is, airflowis produced from the supply port 5 to the suction port 4 through theinside of the skin layer 10.

Then, when the filler T is delivered to the funnel 12, the filler T istransported by this airflow so that the filler T is supplied to theinside of the skin layer 10. After a predetermined amount of the fillerT is supplied, the operation of the vacuum pump is stopped. Then, thelid part 3 is opened and a padded body 23 (FIG. 2) (the filler T ispadded into the skin layer 10) is removed from the padding container 1.

As the filler used herein, not only a granular or fragmental materialsuch as foamed urethane chips and a piece of cloth can be used, butalso, for example, a very light weight material difficult to pad intothe skin layer, such as feather of a feather pillow or a feather mat,can be used. In addition, a powder is difficult to handle when supplyingto the inside of a skin layer because a power is dispersed. However,according to the present invention, a powder can be used as the filler.

In order to form a padded body wherein the filler adheres to itself andadheres to an inner surface of the skin layer, a water reactive binderis premixed with the filler, and a mixture of the filler and the binderis padded into the skin layer, as described above. Then, the opening ofthe skin layer is closed, and thereby such a padded body is formed.

Then, the padded body 23 is set in a molding container 20 (an upper mold21, a lower mold 22) as shown in FIG. 2 and is clamped between the uppermold 21 and the lower mold 22. Then, steam is passed through the insideof the molding container 20 (FIG. 3). The binder reacts to the steam sothat the filter adheres to itself and adheres to the inner surface ofthe skin layer, and thereby a padded body that has a predetermined shapeand is molded in one with the skin layer is manufactured.

As described above, since the padded body has already become a finishedproduct molded in one with the skin layer when the padded body ismolded, the work for inserting an inner body formed of the filler in theskin layer is avoided. That is, in the art, as a problem, it takes along time for the work of inserting the inner body in association withthe surface-smoothness of the inner body and the separation of afraction thereof. However, according to the present invention, such aproblem is avoided and the manufacturing cost is considerably reduced.Moreover, in the art, when the inner body is covered with the skinlayer, the skin layer is shifted relative to the inner body so that awrinkle is produced on the skin layer and a seam of the skin layer isundesirably curved, and thus, as another problem, this makes its qualityworse. However, according to the present invention, such a problem doesnot occur.

In addition, in a padded body according to the present invention, sincethe filler adheres to an inner surface of the skin layer, the skin layeris not separated from the filler padded into the skin layer and is notshifted when practically using the padded body, and thus, the outline ofthe padded body can be stably maintained.

EXAMPLE 1

FIGS. 4–7 show a method according to the present invention formanufacturing a headrest attached to a seat equipped in an automobile.

FIG. 4 a is a front view of a skin layer of the headrest and FIG. 4 b isits bottom view. The skin layer 40 of the headrest H used herein isporous and is made of a fiber material, and a soft slab formed urethane41 is attached on its back surface. On the bottom of the skin layer 40,holes 42, 42 are provided for inserting a stay 44 therein. Also, a slit43 as an opening for supplying filler therein is provided on the bottomof the skin layer 40. This slit 43 is usually closed as shown in FIG. 4c.

The stay 44 is inserted in the skin layer 40, and the skin layer 40 isthen set in the main part 2 of the padding container 1 such that theslit 43 fits to the supply port 5, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the mainpart 2 is closed by the lid part 3, and the funnel 14 is positioned soas to pass through between the slit 43 and the supply port 5 (FIG. 6).

The filler T used herein is waste produced in productive steps formanufacturing a seat equipped in an automobile. The waste is made of asoft foamed urethane material and a skin layer material of the seat. Thewaste is shattered to pieces and is then passed through 5 mm screen meshThe filler T is a mixture of those fragmental materials. The mixturecontains 50 wt % of soft foamed urethane and 50 wt % of the skin layermaterial. 20 wt % of urethane binder made of isocyanate pre-polymer(NCO: 15%) is sprayed to the filler, and then the mixture of the fillerand the binder is stirred.

This urethane binder reacts to water so that its adhesive strengthappears.

Then, the vacuum pump connected to the suction port 4 is driven, andthereby airflow is produced to the inside of the skin layer 40 throughthe funnel 14 positioned between the supply port 5 and the slit 43 andis produced to the suction port 4 through the skin layer 40. Apredetermined amount (240 g for a typical headrest) of the filler Tdescribed above is supplied to the inside of the skin layer 40 by use ofthis airflow to form a padded body 46. In general, even though the skinlayer 40 is formed in a predetermined shape, the padded body 46 expandsover its predetermined shape when the filler is supplied.

This padded body 46 is set in molding container 70 (an upper mold 71, alower mold 72) having a predetermined cavity, as shown in FIG. 7. Thismolding container 70 has air holes 73 for supplying steam to the cavity(in this figure, the air holes are provided in the lower mold 72.

The padded body 46 is set in the molding container 70 and is then shapedin a predetermined shape. Then, steam (for example, 5 kg/cm², 1 minutes)is supplied to the inside of the molding container 70. Thereby, thebinder reacts to the steam so that the filler adheres to itself andadheres to an inner surface of the skin layer, and thus, the padded bodyis completely molded in the molding container.

Finally, the padded body completely molded is removed from the moldingcontainer.

Prior to supplying the filler to the inside of the skin layer, a waterreactive binder is pre-supplied on a contact surface between the fillerand the inner surface of the skin layer or an inserted member (in thisexample, a stay 44). This is because the adhesive strength and theadhesive reliability between the filler and the inner surface of theskin layer and between the filler and the insert member can be improved.

EXAMPLE 2

In Example 1 described above, two separated devices such as the suctioncontainer and the molding container are used to mold the padded body. InExample 2, such a padded body is manufactured by use of only one device.Example 2 is now described with referring to FIGS. 8–11.

With reference to FIG. 8, a padding and molding container 80 has anupper mold 81 and a lower mold 82. The upper mold 81 is pivotallyconnected to the lower mold 82, and a cavity can be formed in thepadding and molding container 80. The upper mold 81 has a slide block 81a and a suction port 84 connected to a vacuum pump. A supply port 85 isprovided in the padding and molding container 80. The supply port 85 isprovided at a position where the upper mold 81 meets the lower mold 82such that the opening 43 of the skin layer 40 can fit to the supply port85. Also, holes or channels (not shown) may be provided for position astay.

While the padding and molding container 80 is closed by pivotally movingthe upper mold 81, the slide block 81 a can be air-tightly moved betweenan opening position and a closing position. When the slide block 81 a isat the opening position, the cavity is connected to the vacuum pumpthrough the suction port 84. When the slide block 81 a is at the closingposition, a predetermined shape of the cavity is formed inside thepadding and molding container 80.

As shown in FIG. 8, the skin layer 40 with a stay is set in the paddingand molding container 80 such that the slit 43 fits to the supply port85. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper mold 81 is pivotally moved andthe padding and molding container 80 is then closed. When this, theslide block 81 a is at its opening position, and the suction port 84 isconnected to the cavity of the padding and molding container 80.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the funnel 86 is positioned so as to passthrough the supply port 85 and the slit 43, and the vacuum pump is thendriven. Thereby, airflow is produced to the inside of the skin layer 40through the funnel 86 connected between the supply port 85 and the slit43 and from the inside of the skin layer 40 to the suction port 84through the cavity. By use of this airflow, the filler T mixed with thebinder as provided in Example 1 is supplied to the inside of the skinlayer 40. When a predetermined amount of the filler T is supplied to theinside of the skin layer 40, the operation of the vacuum pump isstopped, and thereby a padded body is formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the slide block 81 a is moved into itsclosing position, and thereby the padded body is formed in apredetermined shape. Then, steam is supplied in the padding and moldingcontainer 80, and as a result the padded body is molded in thepredetermined shape, as described above in connection to Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

FIG. 12 shows a method according to the present invention for forming apadded body using a padding container 120 comprising a suction container121 and a pre-molding container 122 provided therein. The pre-moldingcontainer 122 has an upper part 122 a and a lower part 122 b. Thepre-molding container 122 has a cavity slightly larger than a finishedproduct. The lower part 122 b is fixed in the suction container 121. Thesuction container 121 has a suction port 121 a connected to a vacuumpump (not shown) and a supply port 121 b.

The pre-molding container 122 has an entry 123 to be fitted to the slit43 of the skin layer 40 and through holes 124, 124 connected between theinside of the pre-molding container and the inner space of the suctioncontainer 121. While the suction container 121 is evacuated, the cavityof the pre-molding container 122 is also evacuated through the throughholes 124, 124. Thus, since those through holes 124, 124 determine aflow direction inside the cavity, filler can be evenly padded into theskin layer by appropriately determining a position of each through hole124.

In order to form a padded body, firstly, the skin layer 40 with a stayis set in the pre-molding container 122, and the pre-molding container122 is then closed by the upper part 122 a. Then, a funnel 126 isinserted to the entry 123 fitted to the slit 43 through the supply port121 b of the suction container 121.

Then, the suction container is sealed air-tightly, and the vacuum pumpis then driven. Thereby, air is evacuated through the suction port 121 aand air inside the cavity of the pre-molding container 122 is alsoevacuated through the through holes 124. That is, airflow is produced tothe inside of the skin layer 40 through the funnel 123 connected betweenthe supply port 121 b and the entry 123 fitted to slit 43 of the skinlayer 40. By this airflow, filler T prepared in a predetermined manneris supplied to the inside of the skin layer 40.

Thereby, the filler T is padded into the inside of the skin layer 40,and thus, a padded body is formed. Then, this padded body is set in themolding container shown in FIG. 7, and thereby a padded body as afinished product is molded, as described in connection to Example 1.

According to the present invention, a padded body can be easilymanufactured, without producing an undesirably curved seam and a wrinkleon the padded body, by padding filler into the skin layer and itsquality is stably maintained even though any filler having any hardnessis used.

Also, in a padded body manufactured according to the present invention,a skin layer of the padded body can be adhered to filler padded into itso as not to separate the skin layer from an inner body formed of thefiller padded into it even though the padded body has a depression part.

In addition, according to the present invention, a padded body can bemanufactured by use of filler made of a granular or fragmental materialsuch as powder, feather, foamed urethane chips and a piece of the skinlayer are produced in productive steps of a seat and accessoriesequipped in an automobile. In particular, according to the presentinvention, a padded body can be manufactured by use of a recycledmaterial, as the filler, made of waste such as foamed urethane chips anda piece of the skin layer produced in productive steps of a seat andaccessories equipped in an automobile.

1. A method for manufacturing a padded body comprising the steps of:preparing a skin layer formed in a bag shape, said skin layer having atleast a porous part and an opening for supplying a granular orfragmental filler therein; setting said skin layer in a paddingcontainer, said padding container having an inner space, a suction portconnected between the inner space and a pumping source and a supply portfor supplying said filler, said skin layer being set in said paddingcontainer such that said opening fits to said supply port; driving saidpumping source to produce airflow from said supply port to the inside ofsaid skin layer through said opening and from the inside of said skinlayer to said suction port; and supplying a predetermined amount of saidfiller to the inside of said skin layer by use of said airflow to formthe padded body.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including the stepsof: premixing said filler and a water reactive binder; setting thepadded body in a molding container having a predetermined cavity; andpassing steam through the inside of said molding container, wherein saidbinder reacts to said steam, and thereby the filler adheres to itselfand adheres to an inner surface of said skin layer.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein said filler is made of foamed urethane, cloth orplastics, and said binder is a urethane binder.
 4. A method formanufacturing a padded body comprising the steps of: premixing fillermade of a granular or fragmental material and a water reactive binder;preparing a skin layer formed in a bag shape, said skin layer having atleast a porous part and an opening for supplying said filler; settingsaid skin layer in a padding and molding container, said padding andmolding container having a slide block movable between a closingposition and an opening position, a cavity formed in a predeterminedshape when said slide block is moved into said closing position, asupply port for supplying said filler and a suction port connectedbetween said cavity and a pumping source when said slide block is movedinto said opening position, said suction port being closed by said slideblock when said slide block is moved into said closing position whereinsaid skin layer is set in said padding and molding container such thatsaid opening fits to said supply port; positioning said slide block atsaid opening position, and driving said pumping source to produceairflow from said supply port to the inside of said skin layer throughsaid opening and from the inside of said skin layer to said suctionport; supplying a predetermined amount of said filler to the inside ofsaid skin layer by use of said airflow to form a padded body; movingsaid slide block into said closing position; and passing steam throughthe inside of said padding and molding container; thereby said binderreacts to said steam so that said filler adheres to itself and adheresto an inner surface of said skin layer.
 5. A method of manufacturing apadded body comprising the steps of: premixing filler made of a granularor fragmental material and a water reactive binder; preparing a skinlayer formed in a bag shape, said skin layer having at least a porouspart and an opening for supplying said filler therein; setting said skinlayer in a pre-molding container provided inside a suction container,said suction container having an inner space, an output port connectedbetween the inner space and a pumping source and an input port connectedto the outside thereof, said pre-molding container having a cavity, asuction port connected between said cavity and said inner space and asupply port disposed so as to fit to said opening, wherein said skinlayer is set in said pre-molding container such that said opening fitsto said suction port; driving said pumping source to produce airflowfrom said input port to the inside of said skin layer through saidopening fitted to said supply port by use of means for removablyconnecting between said input port and said supply port and from theinside of said skin layer to said output port through said suction port;supplying a predetermined amount of said filler to the inside of saidskin layer by use of said airflow to form a padded body; setting thepadded body in a molding container having a cavity having apredetermined shape; and passing steam through the inside of saidmolding container; thereby said binder reacts to said steam, and saidfiller adheres to itself and adheres to an inner surface of said skinlayer.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein a funnel is used as said meansfor removably connecting between said input port and said supply port.